Our Team

Who We Are

We are a team of educators, software designers, software engineers, and researchers dedicated to improving students' learning experiences through the use of innovative technology and creative curriculum materials.

Leadership

Bill Finzer, Senior Scientist

Hello and welcome. As a Senior Scientist at KCP Technologies and co-PI of the Data Games project, I'm in charge of software development for Data Games. Victory can be yours—seize it!

Cliff Konold, Director, SRRI at UMass Amherst

Cliff is director of the Scientific Reasoning Research Institute (SRRI) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is co-PI of the Data Games project and directs the research component.

Tim Erickson, Chief Scientist - eeps Media

I'm a longtime author and a former mathematics teacher at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. I coordinated the game and activity development for this project. I created prototypes for many of the Data Games, developed instructional videos, and worked on the curriculum materials.

Project Management

Rick Gaston, Research & Project Manager

I have focused in the Data Games project on gathering feedback from teachers and students in our field test. Prior to this, I served as a mathematics and computer programming teacher, and as a school principal. I have a strong interest in using technology and games to improve student learning.

Alis Blomberg, Project Assistant

I wear many hats in supporting the Data Games project, but my biggest contribution was the development of the Data Games website you're on, mostly the way it looks and feels and making sure that there are no spelling or grammar errors.

Kosoom Kreetong (Jang), Research Assistant - SRRI/UMass

Jang is a graduate student in College of Education at UMass. Her main interest is the development of statistical ideas, particularly in a technology-rich environment.

Software Development

Kirk Swenson, Senior Software Engineer

As a Senior Software Engineer at KCP Technologies, Kirk is the lead programmer for Fathom and is responsible for Data Games architecture and implementation.

Craig Miller, Senior Software Engineer - SRRI/UMass

As Senior Software Engineer at SRRI, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, he is the lead programmer for TinkerPlots and is responsible for the TinkerPlots-style features in Data Games.

Raymond Cheung, Web Developer

I'm Raymond, and I'm responsible for Data Games' server-side programming. I hope you like the games.

Ian Rosenfield, Software Tester

Ian is a Quality Assurance software tester at KCP Technologies. He tests the software, tracks bugs, and helps the team solve programming conundrums.

Laurel Shortell, Senior Software Engineer - SRRI/UMass

Laurel was a Senior Software Engineer working on TinkerPlots and developing games for the DataGames project.

Tristan Warneke, Game Programmer - SRRI/UMass

Tristan has graduated from the computer science department at Umass in May 2012. He was a game programmer in the Data Games project team from October 2011 - May 2012.

Ryan McCann, Game Programmer - SRRI/UMass

Ryan is an undergraduate student in the Computer Science department at UMass. He has worked on various aspects of game programming, including graphics, animation, event handling etc. His favorite game is The Legend of Zelda

Mike Salyh, Game Programmer- SRRI/UMass

I see my work as way of sharing emotions and experiences. When I make a painting or a game, I'm creating a little universe that anyone can enter. There's nothing more rewarding than bringing a imaginary world to life.

Russ Phelan, Game Programmer - SRRI/UMass

Russ is an undergraduate student in Computer Science department at UMass to pursue his interests in security, privacy, and artificial intelligence as they pertain to the development of technology and society in the future. He hopes to one day find a place where music, technology, and design collide, and live there happily for the rest of his days.

Dylan Pyle, Game Programmer - SRRI/UMass

Dylan was a game programmer in the Data Games project team from October 2011 - May 2012.